Big wave surfing season opens in Nazaré

October 28, 2015 |Surfing

The big wave surf break of Praia do Norte, in Nazaré, Portugal, has woken up. The winter season is coming up, and the legendary rides are about to kick in.

After enjoying a remarkable 2014/2015 season in the giant liquid mountains, German hellman Sebastian Steudtner is back in the Portuguese waters. This time, he seems focused and ready to break the Guinness World Record for the largest wave ever ridden.

"One of my favorite things to do in Nazaré, is watching the waves hit the rocks when it's big! [There were] huge stormy waves at Nazare yesterday!" wrote Steudtner, who has already scored a few bombs for the WSL Big Wave Awards.

But he is not alone in the dangerous lineup of Nazaré. If you're up in the iconic lighthouse, you'll notice several teams getting ready, checking gear, warming up, and going out the back.

The first day of serious challenges had 60-foot waves, but these fearless athletes want more. The wind conditions weren't perfect; the swell didn't hit the canyon as it should.

"We thought that we wouldn't have surf. However, our team met in the morning and decided to go for it. They were huge waves, but it was also very windy. We decided to stay together, I grabbed the tow rope and caught three waves," explained Scooby.

"I was lucky on my third ride. The wave face was smooth, and there was hardly anyone in the water. Carlos Burle was on the jet ski, and he pulled me. I was very lucky to catch the biggest wave of this first big day in Nazaré. I am more confident now."